For their part, passengers will get new flight monitors and new self-service kiosks that work for any airline. Currently passengers have to check in at their specific airline's location.

The renovation's competitive-bidding process ended in controversy when the least expensive bidder was disqualified for lacking a required license. Instead, the next qualified construction company, Snyder Langston, was awarded the contract for $23.7 million, which was about $750,000 more than the original winner.

"Maybe we're getting a little more quality for the bid," said Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach, who represents the airport area.